Teddy and Candy were two lively cocker spaniel dogs who lived on a farm in Manitoba, Canada. They were well fed, got lots of exercise and had a shed to live in during the cold winter. Both dogs grew thick coats of hair during the winter which helped protect them from the cold.
The two dogs would often spend the day roaming through the fields and pasture near their home, but usually returned before the day was over... at least in time for supper! One cold Saturday in December when the temperature was only about 20°F, Teddy and Candy wandered off. Later that afternoon Candy came home alone. She seemed troubled and restless. As she rubbed against farmer Smith’s legs she almost acted as if she were trying to tell him something, but, of course, she was not able to. Because of the bitter cold weather, the Smith family was very concerned about Teddy when he did not return. They were sure he could not survive the whole night with the temperature getting even colder.
Teddy did not show up all the next day, nor the next. The Smiths had just about given up hope that Teddy would ever return. By the third morning they felt sure he must have died. How surprised they were when just a few hours later Teddy came hobbling into the yard on three legs. One of his hind legs was very sore. Farmer Smith did not have to guess where Teddy had been since there was a note attached to his collar which said, “GO HOME FIDO. LEAVE FOX TRAPS ALONE.” Poor Teddy had been caught in a neighbor’s fox trap for over three days, out in the cold without food or water.
Do you know that you, too, are caught in a trap, unless you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? It is not a fox trap, but the trap of sin. Satan has set these traps and has caught you! But just as there was a way out of the trap for Teddy, there is a way for each sinner to be released from Satan’s trap of sin. In Acts 26:1818To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:18) the Bible tells us that if we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour we will be turned from darkness to the light, and from the power of Satan (his trap) unto God and receive forgiveness of sins (being released from the trap).
The Smiths were very thankful that their neighbor had released Teddy from the fox trap, and how thankful we who are saved should be for our being released from Satan’s trap. But the Lord Jesus Christ not only saves us from our sins, He also cares for us and someday soon will take each of His own home to heaven. We don’t have to find our own way home like Teddy did. The Lord Jesus said, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:33And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:3).
Teddy needed some special care for a few days and a little extra food, but it wasn’t long until he was running around the farm again. Because Teddy is a dog he was not able to thank the Smiths or their neighbor, but have you ever thanked the Lord Jesus Christ for saving you? Perhaps we each should sing the lines of this little song every day:
Thank-you, Lord, for saving my soul,
Thank-you, Lord, for making me whole,
Thank-you, Lord, for giving to me
Thy great salvation, so full and free.
ML-04/14/1985